Benjamin Satcher Dam dam
Benjamin Satcher Dam
Benjamin Satcher Dam, located in Lexington, South Carolina, was completed in 1950 and serves primarily for recreational purposes. The dam stands at a height of 20 feet and spans 500 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 120 acre-feet. Situated on the Boggy Branch river, the dam is owned privately and regulated by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), ensuring state jurisdiction, permitting, inspection, and enforcement.
Despite being classified as a low hazard potential structure, the dam's condition assessment is reported as poor, raising concerns about its structural integrity and maintenance. The last inspection conducted in April 2017 revealed the need for improvement. Additionally, the risk assessment indicates moderate risk (level 3), highlighting the importance of implementing proper risk management measures to mitigate potential hazards. With a lack of Emergency Action Plan (EAP) preparedness and updated emergency contacts, there is a pressing need for proactive measures to ensure the safety and security of the dam.
As a vital component of the local water resource infrastructure, Benjamin Satcher Dam plays a crucial role in providing recreational opportunities while also posing challenges related to its maintenance and risk management. Climate and water resource enthusiasts should closely monitor developments regarding the dam's condition assessment, inspection frequency, and potential improvements to enhance its safety and functionality in the face of changing environmental conditions.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Benjamin Satcher Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Saluda River Below Lk Murray Dam Nr Columbia | 764 cfs | → |
| Saluda River Near Columbia | 1,190 cfs | → |
| Congaree River At Columbia | 4,640 cfs | → |
| Smith Branch At North Main St At Columbia | 2 cfs | → |
| Gills Creek At Columbia | 18 cfs | → |
| Broad River At Alston | 3,640 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Benjamin Satcher Dam.
Boat launches
- Cabana Way Lexington County
- Sandlapper Way 159, Lexington County
- Eastshore Drive 143, Lexington County
- Highway 6 6, Columbia
- Shull Island Boat Ramp
- Cove Launch Court Lexington County
Campgrounds
- Woodmen Of The World Park
- Dreher Island State Rec Area
- Sesquicentennial State Park
- Weston Lake Military - Fort Jackson
- Longleaf Campground
- Bluff Campground
Fishing spots
Track Benjamin Satcher Dam in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Benjamin Satcher Dam
Where does the data for Benjamin Satcher Dam come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Low hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Benjamin Satcher Dam.